Signal



(No Model.) W

SIGNAL.

No. 410,270. Patented Sept. 3, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, WILL H. DONNER, OF COLUMBUS, INDIANA.

SIGNAL.

SPECIFICAIION formng part of Letters Patent No. 410.270, dated September 3, 1889.

Application filed August 4, 1888. Serial No. 281,942 (No model.)

T0 (ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILL II. DONNER, of Columbus, in the State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signals; and I do hereby declare that the follow ing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

l\ly invention is an alarm or signal device for uso in flouring or other mills, grain-elevators, or in any situation where material is delivered through a spout or chnte.

The object of the invention is to give due notice to the miller or attendant in the event of the delivery-spout chokin g up with the natorial.

The accompanying drawing is a sectional view through an inclined spout with the movable plate and other operating,parts.

A is the bottom and B the top side of the spout. At a point in the top B, and preferably near the end of the spout, a movable plate C is supported-in this instance by a hinged connection. It depends from the inclined top B, and thus extends within and partially across the spout above the normal current of the grain, its length being determined to leave sufficient space between it and the bottom of the spout for the passage of the normal amount of material, so that the delivery may go on without interrnption. A suitable stop plate or pin D also projects within the spont, and this is located so that the plate in swinging aside will come in contact therewith. A signal-bell of any suitable and well-known form is used, as at c, and be tween this and the movable plate are located suitable connecting devices, which are designed to cause the sounding of the bell when the plate moves into contact with the plate or pin D. In the drawing is illnstrated the preferable form of these connections, which consist of wires 1 2, connected, respectively, to the plate and part D, and forming, together with a battery B an electric circuit in which the signal-bell is located to be operated thereby. The end of the wire 1 is preferably in electrical connection with the plate through the hinge thereof, and the other wire may be electrically connected With the part D through the ordinary form of binding-post. As the plate C under normal conditions depends by its weight, and thus extends down vertically, it will not be in contact with the part D, and the circuit will thus be open and the bell inoperative; but should the spout become choked the pressure exerted by the aecumulated material upon the movable plato will force it aside and into contact with the plate D, closing the circuit, and thus sounding the bell to indicate that the delivery of the material has been interrupted by the ehoking up of the spout.

It will be understood that any well-known form of annunciator maybe employed in combination with the signal-bell and the circuits from the various spouts in the mill, so that the attendant may know which spout needs clearing.

I claim as my invention In combination with an inclined spout, a plate freely suspended from the upper side of said spout above the normal current of the flowing material, so as not to be moved thereby, the stop or pin D, proj ecting into said spout, so that the plate may swing into contact thercwith, a bell or indicator, and connections whereby the contact of the plate and stop will operate the bell or indicator, snbstantially as described.

In testimonywhereot I have signed nyname to this specification in the presence of two subseribing witnesses.

WILL Il. DONNER.

Vitnesses:

W. G. IRWIN, DAVID STOBO. 

